Supreme Court finalizes Temporary Protected Status termination for Haitians

The Haitian community in Southwest Florida is expressing its uncertainty after the Supreme Court's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allowed Haitians to live and work in the United States. Beatrice Jacquet-Castor of Haitian-American Community Coalition has been helping families prepare for the end of TPS. "We were already having workshops preparing people, mentally telling them the TPS is coming to and start getting your affairs in order," she said. The decision also eases deportations for immigrants to return to Haiti, despite the U.S. State Department classifying the country as unstable. As an alternative to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, some Haitians have been placed on ankle monitors. "It brings tears. Yesterday we had a community member that came in after we advisor to keep up with her immigration appointments. She was instructed to go ahead and go to your appointment because you're trying to seek legal protection. When she went to her appointment, her immigration hearing yesterday, they put an ankle monitor on her leg," Jacquet-Castor said. The impacts of the decision are being felt throughout the Haitian community, with members reporting fewer people at restaurants, grocery stores, and churches. Adrien Luciemable, a Cape Coral resident, said, "Even those who are legal, they are afraid. I went to a grocery store not too long ago. A grocery store, usually we see a lot of people at that grocery store. Let me tell you, I saw only two people at that grocery store the other day." The Department of Homeland Security has stated that people who were under TPS do not have to return to their home countries but cannot remain in the United States. Luciemable expressed frustration with the treatment of Haitians. "Why? If you cannot help me, do not humiliate me. That's humiliation," Luciemable said. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.